Graft copolymerization onto rubber. V. Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto rubber using potassium peroxydiphosphate as initiator

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto natural rubber (NR) is investigated using potassium peroxydiphosphate as the initiator. The rate of grafting is determined by varying monomer concentration, peroxydiphosphate concentration, and temperature. The graft yield increased with an increase in monomer concentration up to 1.4082M/L and thereafter the graft yield decreases. The graft yield increases significantly with an increase of peroxydiphosphate concentration up to 150 X 10^-1M/L and thereafter the graft yield decreases. The grafting reaction is temperature dependent. A suitable kinetic scheme is proposed and the rate equation is evaluated.